With many shows and events falling victim to Covid-19 in 2020, the Royal Bath and West Society is delighted to announce that the British Cheese Awards will be able to take place near Shepton Mallet this year.

Traditionally held at the Royal Bath and West Show at the end of Spring Bank Holiday week, the 2020 British Cheese Awards were put in doubt when then show was cancelled because of coronavirus.

The competition will now take place on Wednesday October 7 at the Dairy Show at the Bath and West Showground.

Rupert Cox, CEO of the society, said: "We are delighted to be able to host the British Cheese Awards, especially after so many events have fallen by the wayside.

"We've been working hard on making sure that our Dairy Show can go ahead with all the latest guidelines on social distancing and cleanliness, and that seemed like an obvious fit for the British Cheese Awards.

"We'll have some of the best cheese-makers in the country exhibiting at the show and looking at everything the Dairy Show has to offer - there is plenty of synergy for others in the industry alongside the latest technology and seminars."

The timing will work well for cheese-makers as sales for Christmas will start to boom from October and consumers look out for medals on packaging, especially at this key trading period. Entries are open now and will close on August 28.

Julius Longman, chairman of the British Cheese Awards, said: "We're glad that the British Cheese Awards will be able to go ahead after all, albeit looking a little different from previous years.

"It's an important competition for the cheese industry as it promotes the huge diversity of cheeses we have in Britain.

"I'm glad to say that we will have some of the top judges in the country here who have agreed to come and judge at the British Cheese Awards on October 7. I'm very much looking forward to watching the competition on the day."

With the current restrictions on indoor events, this year's 2020 British Cheese Awards will not be open to the public while judging is taking place, though visitors to the show will be allowed to see the award-winning cheeses afterwards.

There are lots of categories to choose from and a class for all producers. For full details, see www.britishcheeseawards.com.